A Visit to Mount Rushmore

SD 16—the road to Mount Rushmore from Rapid City, South Dakota—meanders through and up and down the conifer encrusted Black Hills mountains. As you crest the top of a curving stretch of SD 16, a panoramic vista opens up on your right or left. You might see a vast gorge or a green covered valley stretching out to the next side of mountain in the distance. When you reach the entrance to the monument, you go through the park entrance after paying a $10 parking fee, the only charge required.

Beyond the parking lot you pass through the visitors entrance, which comprises a length of grey granite columns. Upon passing through the open columns, the wall on your right contains the names carve in marble of all the workers who help create the Mount Rushmore Monument. On the opposite wall is a statue of Gutzun Borglum, the man credited with creating the sculpture and directing its construction.

Moving toward the area for viewing the monument, you walk down a long path lined with granite columns on either side, each carrying four state flags and the states' motto. At the end of the walk, you are confronted with a wide rectangular esplanade. And in the distance ahead, you see the four presidents high atop Mount Rushmore: Washington, Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Lincoln. It is a spectacular view, the cold and snow clinging to the ground in early June 2008, notwithstanding.

Beneath the esplanade is a visitor's center with theaters showing a movie on the creation of the monument, narrated by Tom Brokaw. An educational film it describes Gutzun and his marvelous feat. You learn about how to use dynamite to sculpt larger than life size sculptures, about the years it took to bring each figure into being, and about the tools used besides dynamite to give the figures the smooth appearance they have today.

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• George
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• Jefferson
• Teddy
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• Abraham
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• Keystone
• Gutzon
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[funnybone16]

Man i went there last year.... IM GOING CAMPING THERE THE 30-7 june and july IM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but with a friend this time i love that place!

[iLoneWolfRoblox]

I was on that road a few months ago!

[Prototype8907]

the needles are beautiful, but not as beautiful as Mt. Rushmore! great video! hope you had fun! check out my South Dakota video when i get it uploaded